COLLEGE SIGNING: Bridgeport is twice as nice for Bears' Mengel

For that matter, it’s not seen too often in college sports. But it’s the kind of deal Lauren Mengel will be giving women’s athletic program at the University of Bridgeport.

The Boyertown senior recently signed her letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic careers at the Connecticut school located on Long Island Sound in Bridgeport’s South End neighborhood. While pursuing studies in dental hygiene, Mengel will be participating with the Purple Knights’ soccer and lacrosse teams, which compete at the Division II level in the East Coast Conference.

For the two-sport star, it worked out well on all counts.

“The atmosphere, the coaches and the girls were really nice,” Mengel said. “It was a good mix. I can play both the sports I love.”

Bridgeport was part of an exclusive search field for Mengel: One of only five schools on the East Coast offering the dental-hygiene course of study that had both soccer and lacrosse programs. It won out for her services over the likes of the University of Pittsburgh, Old Dominion and Howard universities.

“At first, I was only looking out to play soccer,” Lauren recalled. “Then I got talking with a lacrosse coach and she convinced me they would make it easy so when it was soccer season, I wouldn’t have to worry about being under pressure ... the lacrosse coach being mad at me.

“At first, I thought it would be difficult, but I’m ready for the challenge.”

Spending time on the soccer team as an outside back, Mengel was part of a Boyertown defense that dominated the opposition this fall. The Bears maintained their standard of strong “D” play for another year, scoring 17 shutouts. Mengel, goalkeeper Sarafina Valenti and the Boyertown defense’s 16 consecutive shutouts was the second longest shutout streak in state history,

Through her efforts, Boyertown won a second straight Pioneer Athletic Conference title — and third in fourth years — on the strength of a 16-2-2 overall record. The Bears made it to the second round of the District 1 Class AAA tournament before seeing their season end.

“It was a great way to end my senior year,” Lauren said. “It was a big surprise to everyone.”

In contrast to lacrosse, which she played only in school, Mengel’s connection to soccer was more extensive. She played travel ball in Boyertown, along with the West-Mont and FC Delco programs, for a number of seasons.

“I feel like from each coach I got great experience,” she said. “I made it to several state tournaments.”

Playing both midfielder and defense for the lacrosse team, Mengel helped Boyertown win a ninth straight Pioneer Athletic Conference title on the strength of a 17-5 overall record. The Bears made it to the second round of the District 1 Class AAAA tournament before seeing their season end.

With another year of high-school competition ahead, Mengel and her Boyertown teammates will be looking to extend the program’s heady record of success in the Pioneer Athletic Conference; namely, a 124-game winning streak in both regular-season and playoff action. But they will have to do so with a roster minus blue-chip graduates like Devyn Heidelbaugh — The Mercury’s All-Area Player of the Year — and fellow first-teamers Amanda Smith, Emily Moatz and Lindsay Clinton.

At Bridgeport, Mengel will be joining sports programs that experienced contrasting levels of success in 2012.

In soccer, the Purple Knights went 11-6-2 overall and 6-2 in the ECC, winning eight times by shutout. In its 14th season under head coach Magnus Nilerud, Bridgeport reached the conference championship game, coming out on the short end of a 1-0 verdict against Dowling College (Long Island, N.Y.).

“I’m hoping to start my freshman year,” Mengel said.

By comparison, the Bridgeport women’s lacrosse team had a rough campaign in head coach Kate Backman’s inaugural season. The Knights were winless in eight ECC contests, outscored by a 146-62 margin; they went 3-9 overall after winning three of their first four games.